Dr. Sally Krisel, Director of Innovative and Advanced Programs for Hall County Schools in Gainesville, Georgia, leads innovative programming initiatives designed to help teachers recognize and develop the creative and cognitive abilities of children from culturally and linguistically diverse groups. A former State Director of Gifted Education and part-time faculty at the University of Georgia, Dr. Krisel is dedicated to raising academic standards for all students, including those who are gifted and talented, by expanding rigorous curriculum offerings and integrating the know-how from programs for the gifted to develop students’ academic potential through engaging, joyful learning experiences. She has helped Hall County Schools develop 11 charter schools and more than a dozen innovative programs of choice, all with roots in gifted education.